Word Origin & History

1540s, "follower or attendant of a superior person," from Middle French satellite (14c.), from Latin satellitem (nominative satelles) "attendant, companion, courtier, accomplice, assistant," perhaps from Etruscan satnal (Klein), or a compound of roots *satro- "full, enough" + *leit- "to go" (Tucker); cf. English follow, which is constructed of similar roots.

Meaning "planet that revolves about a larger one" first attested 1660s, in reference to the moons of Jupiter, from Latin satellites, which was used in this sense 1610s by German astronomer Johannes Kepler (1571-1630). Galileo, who had discovered them, called them Sidera Medicæa in honor of the Medici family. Meaning "man-made machinery orbiting the Earth" first recorded 1936 as theory, 1957 as fact. Meaning "country dependent and subservient to another" is recorded from 1800.

Example Sentences for satellite

Gibson was glad, after they had landed on the satellite, that he had taken the advice.

He was familiar with the fourth satellite of Jupiter and its fertile provinces.

The ship swerved and headed for the Martian satellite to which he had been directed.

As they blasted, Strett's satellite began to move out of its orbit.

He beckoned to his Chinese satellite and walked leisurely to the door.

Rose hurried away her sister and satellite, and then let loose her glee.

Thett's satellite was sending its message of instantaneous destruction.

Castlereagh, through his satellite Black, has corrupted them, too.

It was not quite high enough for the satellite, and the velocity was too low.

At about the time he'd expected, they reported ships leaving the satellite.